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Morphological and biochemical changes associated with apoptosis induced by okadaic acid in human amniotic FL cells
Ming-luan Xing1, Xiao-feng Wang, Xin Zhu
1Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Environmental Toxicology
|October 22, 2008
Abstract:
The marine toxin okadaic acid (OA) is an apoptosis inducer and a tumor promoter. During recent years, extensive studies have demonstrated that OA can induce apoptosis in a wide variety of cell types. In contrast to the relatively longer incubation time or higher treatment concentrations of OA in apoptosis shown previously, relatively lower concentrations (
Insights
Marine toxin okadaic acid (OA) induces apoptosis in human amniotic cells at low concentrations and short incubation times. Key changes include DNA damage and altered protein levels, highlighting PP2A
Area of Science:
- Marine toxicology
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Okadaic acid (OA) is a marine toxin known to induce apoptosis and promote tumors.
- Previous studies show OA induces apoptosis in various cell types, often requiring longer incubation or higher concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the toxic effects of OA on human amniotic cells (FL cells) at lower concentrations and shorter incubation times.
- To determine the specific morphological and biochemical changes associated with OA-induced apoptosis in FL cells.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of FL cells with okadaic acid at concentrations <= 100 nM for 4 hours.
- Analysis of morphological changes, including phosphatidylserine externalization and cytoskeletal disruption.
- Biochemical analysis of DNA strand breaks, Bcl-2 protein expression, and PP2A-A subunit protein levels.
Main Results:
- Okadaic acid induced apoptosis in FL cells, evidenced by phosphatidylserine externalization and cytoskeletal disruption.
- Biochemical markers of apoptosis, including DNA strand breaks and decreased Bcl-2 expression, were observed.
- An increase in the protein expression of the PP2A-A subunit was noted during OA-induced apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Okadaic acid induces apoptosis in human amniotic cells through specific morphological and biochemical pathways.
- The findings suggest a critical role for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in the apoptotic process triggered by protein phosphatase inhibitors like OA.
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